WE LEFT THE office and stayed on the balcony, gazing at the people below. They looked happy socializing with each other. Some were dancing, laughing, flirting, and so on. I tried to look for two certain entities, but I couldn't. Where did those two hide themselves?
"How about telling us more about the entities of your town?" I asked. "Aside from the humans, of course." There was nothing to know more about the humans, wasn't there?
Aseyana remained silent, leaning on the handrail. She appeared disinterested in the topic I just opened. Her focus was on the party below, though her eyes were blank. Bah! She was indifferent to anything at the moment. I wonder what was inside her mind.
"We have three packs of werewolves," Principal Stonefield started. Then, she offered me a wine, to which I politely declined. "Now, two since you annihilated the Moon Pack."
'The ending they deserved,' I silently added.
"There are also vampires around," she continued. "Some are only here to visit, while five are already officially listed as part of the town. Others are witches associated with these packs; others are nomad witches."
"That's all?" I couldn't help but remark.
Principal Stonefield spared a smile. "Werewolves dominate Arcane Town. They are actually the original settlers of this place. However, something happened that required the protection of a fairy. My ancestors lived here and ruled the town since then," she said, staring at the people below. "Over the course of time, the supernatural beings slowly declined. Hence, the disappearance of the Moon Pack greatly impacted the other packs. However, if you can prove to them that Penelope really used dark magic for a long time, you can appease them. With the events happening for the past decades, they will never condone the act of such magic in this town."
"A town for werewolves. Yet, there are only five vampires lurking around. Don't you think it is a bit imbalanced, little fairy? Considering the unsettled war between these two bloodlines, you better recruit more vampires to even the numbers."
My heart almost jumped out when I heard Yasha's voice beside me.
"Can you be more discreet with your entrance?"
Yasha replied with a smile. "Now, where is the fun in that?"
"We are open for whoever wants to be a resident in the town," Principal Stonefield replied. She faced Yasha and added, "It is not my fault that your kind don't want to come here."
"My kind," Yasha repeated jokingly. "If my 'kind' comes here for real, you should start praying. Your rule will be over. And these," she spread her arms, motioning at the people below, "will be our slaves."
The air surrounding Principal Stonefield turned frigid. And her expression told us she wasn't happy with Yasha's joke. Frankly, I didn't think this woman was joking, and even if she did, I wouldn't blame Principal Stonefield for getting angry.
"Now, now," Yasha raised her champagne glass. "I am just saying. Anyway," she sneered, "I do not believe you do not know who I am." Her eyes flashed with viciousness as she added, "Did you think I did not notice the glint in your eyes that night? The way you look at my niece as if you have discovered a treasure? I do not know your intention for accepting my niece in this," she paused, "god-forsaken land of yours. But do keep in mind." She walked forward until she was only a foot away from the principal. "Hurt her—- use her—- and I will rip you and your minions apart. I will make sure you will taste the real meaning of hell."
I shivered. Was it me, or did Yasha seem scary this time?
"Aunt," Aseyana reprimanded.
Yasha stepped back with a grin. She winked and raised her champagne glass again. "Happy foundation day, little fairy." Then, she vanished out of sight.
We were silent for quite some time. What could I say? Yasha had that talent to make people speechless.
"Principal Stonefield," Aseyana broke the ice. "I'm sorry for that. My aunt," she took a deep breath, "is overprotective. But she only wants the best for our family."
Principal Stonefield forced out a smile. "No," she said. "That 'undead' is right."
I noticed Aseyana stilled.
"But don't get me wrong, please," Principal Stonefield added. "Even if you are an ordinary witch, I will accept you here. It just so happens you came, and I need something from you."
"What do you need Aseyana for? Why not use other witches?" I asked. "And if Yasha heard you, I am pretty sure you would get your head snap away from the rest of your body."
Principal Stonefield didn't respond right away. She looked at us for a brief moment before sighing and said, "Come with me. I'll show you something."
She took us to the back of the town's hall, a vast garden. Then, there was a gate. Beyond that was a maze. No one talked throughout the 'journey'. We focused on getting to the end of this seemingly endless maze.
And an eternity later, we stumbled upon a mountain. Plastered on it was a massive gate with vines all over it.
"A hideout?" I asked.
"You will see," Principal Stonefield answered.
Oh. How mysterious!
Principal Stonefield touched the gate with her left hand. Then, the vines slowly retracted, and the gate opened with a squeaking sound.
We followed her inside. And I finally knew I was wrong. It wasn't a hideout. It was a dungeon (but it could still be a hideout if one wanted it to be. So basically, I wasn't totally wrong). And at the end of it was a room with skeletons scattered across.
I was about to step inside (I wonder where the hell I got the confidence to do so), but I noticed my companions stopping at the entrance. And so, I did the same.
"They—-" Aseyana uttered, her eyes fluttering in worry (or fear?), "—- are surrounded by darkness. I almost didn't notice their remains!"
"You can see the darkness—-" Principal Stonefield stated, "—- that no one else could. Centuries ago, Arcane Town experienced an unusual event that suddenly took almost everyone's life. And these skeletons are the victims' remains."
I looked at the principal in disbelief. "You didn't warn me? What if I get inside and rot?" I accused.
"You won't," she replied. "Bloodlings, for some reason, are immune to disasters caused by dark magic. But you can become a catalyst for it to happen."
"It?"
"The disaster."
Now, that was a positive effect of being a bloodling.
"But how did you know they were victims of dark magic if you can't see what Aseyana sees?"
"After their deaths, plants started to wither, and the land dried for no apparent reason. Rain came, but it didn't help with the predicament at all. In fact, it only made everything worse. The ground continued to dry until we decided to excavate their bodies and hide them in this dungeon using my power." She closed her eyes emotionally before continuing, "And we were right. The town went back to its healthy self after sealing the bodies."
"They were not only victims," Aseyana added. "They were sacrifices."
Principal Stonefield nodded. "We have no idea what ritual transpired at the time. Someone used dark magic and sacrificed almost everyone without us knowing." She took a deep breath. Then, she turned her back from the room. "Witches can do spells, whether for evil or good. But there is no way to know who among them practices whichever. Thus, the reason Penelope got away from almost doing a forbidden spell that night. But Aseyana could. It might have to do with the fact that she was born from the most powerful being in the world, or maybe it was fate giving us a chance to fight against evil. No matter what, Aseyana is a blessing."
It sounded good. But I still think there was something wrong with the way she delivered her words. Or maybe I was only overthinking. I hoped it was the latter.
After showing us those skeletons and explaining her side, we left the dungeon and returned to the party. And oh, how fascinating 'time' was! I felt like we were only gone for half an hour. Yet, we returned at exactly midnight, where the creatures already gathered. They weren't inside, though. They were in the vast garden.
"Welcome, everyone!" Principal Stonefield started her speech as soon as we arrived. And she continued doing so while I listened on the sideline.
"Where were you?" Yasha asked.
I think I was starting to get used to her sudden arrival.
Everyone suddenly clapped, and I followed their lead without knowing why.
"Oh. Principal Stonefield toured us somewhere, showing us a secret."
When I thought she was going to ask, she only shrugged. And so I changed the topic. "Where is our mermaid?" I didn't see her after entering the hall.
"Having fun," Yasha answered. "I hope I could do the same. It was good to be born next to our generation."
"What do you mean? What kind of fun?"
"Oh, you're so hopeless!" She rolled her eyes. "Definitely a fun that you have never experienced."
When I still didn't get it, and my stare was so obvious of my difficulty understanding her, she gave up and answered, "Men!"
Oh! I understand now!
I chuckled. Yasha sneered in response.
"Aseyana and Tatia!"
When I heard our name, I left Yasha and went to the platform. But when I was already standing in the middle with eyes all over me—- I felt awkward. Why did I come here without thinking? There was no need for me to stand here, right?
"I know all of you are doubting my decision to accept these two beautiful girls," Principal Stonefield stated. "However, please do keep in mind that I will never put our town in any harm. You can doubt me as a person, but never doubt my intention to this town." She looked around and added, "I promised to show you evidence of the Moon Pack's betrayal of their oath. And I always do as I promised!"
Silence.
No one talked.
They were obediently waiting for the show to come. But I know they would erupt once they weren't satisfied.
"As a witch, you are welcome to enter the town as long as you have no evil intention," Principal Stonefield continued. "The same goes with every bloodline who wants to be part of Arcane Town. However, dark magic is extremely prohibited!" Her voice rose. It was firm with a strong conviction. "We have experienced the agony of losing our loved ones. We have experienced the terrifying effect of the forbidden spells! And as the town's protector, I will make sure that no one will disrupt our peace! Whoever does will receive a horrifying death!"
The crowd suddenly cheered.
"So," Principal Stonefield raised a hand, silencing the crowd. "Elder Penelope of Moon Pack shall receive the punishment she deserves."
Right at that moment, Yasha stepped into the platform with Penelope in her hand.
And I learned something I never knew I had. Kindness.
Why did I suddenly think the witch was pitiful? If Yasha heard my thoughts, I would definitely receive a ton of sarcastic remarks.
But I still knew the witch deserved this humiliation. However, she looked pitiful with her appearance right now. I couldn't even describe her!
Regardless of my thoughts, Aseyana showed the proof these creatures desired. And Principal Stonefield's punishment began.